Surfboard cover



Sept 5,1967 L. J. HOYWARD 3,339,607

SURFBOARD COVER Filed Sept. 20, 1965 I INVENTOR. LALQQV J. HOW/02D AGENTUnited States Patent Office 3 ,339,607 Patented Sept. 5, 1967 3,339,607SURFBOARD COVER Larry J. Howard, Los Angeles, Calif. (Box 5122, NorthHollywood, Calif.) Filed Sept. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 488,522 13 Claims.(Cl. 150-52) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Protective means are disclosedherein for covering a surfboard which includes an elongated sleeveadapted to receive a surfboard therein so that all surfaces of thesurfboard are covered. The sleeve includes an entrance at one endthereof leading into its interior through which one end of the surfboardis introduced into the sleeve. Closure means are carried on the sleeveoperable to selectively close the sleeve entrance so as to retain thesleeve about the surfboard. A pocket portion is formed in the sleevesubstantially on the central longitudinal axis thereof at a location inclose proximity to the sleeve entrance which is adapted to receive,protect and enclose a skag projecting from one surface of the surfboard.

The present invention relates to protective coverings and moreparticularly to .a novel cover for a surfboard suitable for protectingthe surface and structure thereof and for providing means whereby thecovered surfboard may be tied down to a conventional rack or carrier forstorage or transportation purposes.

The sport of surfing employing custom surfboards is well established atthe present time. The custom surfboards are generally made orconstructed of light weight materials, such as foam compositions,plastic, fiberglass, etc. and offers exterior surfaces which areintended to be maintained smooth and slick so that optimum performanceand enjoyment of the surfboard can be achieved. In fact, it isconventional surfing practice to improve the surfaces of the surfboardby applying heavy parafiin or wax thereto to maintain a non-skid surfaceso that the rider can more easily retain his position and balancethereon. Naturally, the exterior surfaces of the surfboard are easilydamaged through rough handling, and particularly during transportation,of the surfboard from one location to another, the Wax surface or finishmay be inadvertently damaged as well as structural portions of thesurfboard itself such as the protruding skag or fin.

In order to transport the surfboard from remote locations such as fromthe surfers home to the beach, it is customary to transport thesurfboard by mounting the board to a rack or carrier secured to the topor the back of an automobile. To protect the surfaces and the boarditself, a variety of padding, such as blankets or quilts are employed towrap the surfboard so that all portions of the board coming into contactwith the rack will be protected followed by employing various lengths ofline or rope to retain the wrapped surfboard to the rack.

Such a protective arrangement for the surfboard has been found highlyunsatisfactory due to the fact that during transportation, the windimpinging upon the surfboard and the wrapping therefor causes thewrapping to become loose and sometimes displaced to the extent that thesurface of the board comes into damaging contact with portions of therack or, in other instances, the line employed to hold the board inposition on the rack becomes loose which permits the board to slip andslide. Such events, of course, has the effect of loosening the surfboardfrom its anchored position on the rack so that it is free to scrape andrub against portions of the automobile or the rack which results ininadvertent damage to or loss of the board.

Furthermore, inasmuch :as the exterior surface and the overallconfiguration of the surfboard is extremely important in connection withthe performance thereof, external protrusions and extensions such as maybe employed for handles cannot be built into the surfboard itself. Sincesurfboards are relatively long and heavy structures, it is extremelydiflicult to carry the surfboard by hand once the board has been takenfrom the rack on the automobile so that it may be carried to the beach.In many cases, it requires two persons to carry the surfboard so thatdamage thereto during the transportation of the board to the beach isavoided.

Accordingly, the novel protection means of the present inventioncomprises .a sleeve type cover composed of flexible material into whicha conventional surfboard may be inserted and including a suitableclosure means for completely encasing the surfboard in the protectivecover. A feature of the present invention resides in the employment oftie down means disposed at strategic locations about the edges of theprotective cover and having suitable fastenin g devices attached theretoso that the covered surfboard may be readily secured to a supportingrack on an automobile or the like. Furthermore, the tie down means mayinclude handle means whereby the surfboard may be carried by one or twopersons conveniently. Another embodiment of the invention includesconstructing the cover from a padded material which not only offersincreased protection to the surface and structure of the board itselfbut permits the surfboard cover to be used for wind protection of aperson or for utility as a sleeping bag.

T hereto-re, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea novel protective means for protecting the exterior surface andstructure of a surfboard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel surfboardcover for the surface and structural protection thereof which includestie down means or fasteners whereby the covered board may be rapidly andreleasably secured to a rack or the like for transportation purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel surfboardcover whereby a surfboard having a protruding fin or skag may beinserted therein via an enlarged opening into the cover and includingclosure means for securing the opening whereby the surfboard iscompletely covered so that all external surfaces thereof are adequatelyprotected from inadvertent damage during handling or transportationthereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelsurfboard cover for protecting the exterior surface and structurethereof which includes an accessory compartment forming a part of thecover which may be employed for storing beach accessories such astowels, caps, surfboard paraffin or wax, etc.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelprotective means for a surfboard which protects not only the exteriorthereof but which includes and manner of operation, together withfurther objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the novel protective cover of thisinvention showing a portion thereof broken away to illustrate aconventional surfboard enclosed therein;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the surfboard and cover therefor asillustrated in FIGURE 1 as taken in the direction of arrows 2-2;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the surfboard and covertherefor taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a retainer or tie down meansincorporated into the construction of the cover as illustrated in FIGURE1;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a protective coverfor a surfboard;

FIGURE 6 is a rear perspective view of the cover illustrated in FIGURE5; and

FIGURE 7 is a rear elevational view of the cover illustrated in FIGURE 5taken in the direction of arrows 7-7 thereof.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, a novel protection means isindicated in the direction of arrow 10 for covering all exteriorsurfaces of a conventional surfboard 11 including the surfboard skag orfin 12 located at the extreme rear or aft end of the surfboard 11. Theskag 12 is an upright projecting structural member lying in a planealong the central longitudinal axis of the surf board and it isparticularly noted, with specific reference to FIGURE 3, that thesurfboard cover 13 includes a pocket 14 forenclosing the surfboard skag.The surfboard cover 13 may be composed of any suitable material such asfabric, sailcloth, canvas, vinyl plastic or the like such that thematerial employed is flexible so that the cover may be folded forstorage purposes and yet be weatherproof and compatible with conditionsfor long wearing. Preferably, the cover 13, as illustrated in FIGURE 2,takes the form of a sleeve-like member into which the surfboard 11 isinserted so that the cover fits snugly about the dimensions of thesurfboard. The cover may be made from a single piece of flexiblematerial which is folded over on itself and fastened together on itsopposite ends by means of a seam 15 on the inside of the sleeve-likecover so as to provide a continuous external configuration. An arearepresented by the numeral 19 may be provided on one side of the cover13 for suitably displaying a decorative pattern, such as a wide stripeas shown in broken lines on which may accommodate certain indicia ormarking for purposes of advertising or identification. In this manner,the cover can be made easily recognizable from other covered surfboards.

Located about the external edge marginal regions or sides of thesurfboard cover, there is provided a plurality of retainer or tie downmeans, such as a tab 16 which is composed of suitable flexible materialsuch as fabric or the like and which has one end thereof suitablysecured to the cover by such means as rivets, sewing or the like. Eachtab is provided with a grommet 17 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 4through which a suitable fastener is secured. The fastener may take theform of a length of rope or line ties '18 or may take the form of anysuitable fastener adaptable to tightly secure the tab and thereby thesurfboard cover to a rack or carrier intended to support or anchor thesurfboard in place during transportation of the board between remotelocations.

A feature of the present invention also resides in the provision of ahandle grip, indicated by numeral 18 located on the edge of thesurfboard cover midway between its opposite ends which serves as asingle handle grip so that an individual may readily carry the surfboardwithout assistance from other persons. If necessary, handle grip 18 mayalso be employed to tie the covered surfboard onto a rack or othersupporting structure if desired.

Tie down means and tabs therefor are also provided at the extreme foreend of the surfboard cover and the extreme aft end of the surfboardcover so that the covered board may be adequately anchored to supportingstructure as desired.

The forward end of the surfboard cover is provided with a grommetopening 20 which communicates the interior of the cover externallythereof so that insertion of the surfboard from the aft end of the coveris more easily accommodated since any air trapped in the cover can beexhausted or expelled through the opening 20. Furthermore, opening 20may be employed to dispell or drain any water which may inadvertently betrapped within the confines of the cover. I

A feature of the present invention resides in the closure constructionof the aft end of the surfboard cover whichcomprises a double flapconsisting of an upper flap 21 and a lower flap 22 which are joinedtogether by a closure means 23 which in the present instance is shown asbeing a zipper. Flap 23 includes the pocket 14 for accommodating andcovering the surfboard skag.

To cover the surfboard, flaps 21 and 23 are separated as shown moreclearly by the flaps indicated in dotted lines so that the surfboard maybe inserted into the in terior of the cover 13. Once the forward end ofthe board has reached the region of the drain hole 20, the flaps 21 and22 may be fitted about the aft end of the surfboard followed by theclosing of the cover by closure means 23 which extends between oppositeedges of the cover. The sag is fitted within the pocket 14.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, another embodiment of the protective coverfor a surfboard is shown in the general direction of arrow 40. The coverin this embodiment takes the form of a quilted cushion material such asrepresented by the numeral 41 which has the added advantage of providingincreased surface protection to an enclosed surfboard as well asproviding a warm and wind resistant covering for a person so that thecover may doubly serve as a sleeping bag. An additional feature of theembodiment shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, is the provision for an accessorypouch or pocket 42 wherein one side of the pocket may be represented bythe cover 41 and the other surface or portion of the pocket beingrepresented by a piece of material sewn about its edges to the cover 41.The pocket may be suitably stitched to provide a sectionized orcompartmentized pocket for receiving such beach accessories such astowels, caps, or accessory surfboard equipment such as blocks or cakesof paraflin or wax. The pocket may be secured by means of suitableclosure means 43 such as a Zipper for example.

About the edge marginal regions of the cover 41, there is provided aplurality of combination handle grip and tiedown tabs, such asrepresented by tab 44. Each tab includes a grommet 45 through whichvarious fastening means such as straps or ropes may be provided andfurther includes an elongated aperture 46 which may be suitably grippedby the hand of an individual for carrying purposes. Inasmuch as handgripping tabs are located fore and aft of the cover, the hand grippingmeans provides a suitable and convenient means for carrying thesurfboard by two individuals or persons.

Referring to FIGURE 6, the aft end of the cover is shown having a novelclosure means for substantially opening the aft end of the cover so thata surfboard may be easily inserted'into the cover and for closing theaft end of the cover about the aft end of the surfboard. It is to benoted that the cover includes a pair of cooperatlng sections 47 and. 48which are configured to form about the skag of the surfboard and whichincludes a suitable closure means, such as 'zipper 50, that lies alongthe central longitudinal axis of the covered board for securing sections47 and 48 about the skag. Furthermore, to close the extreme aft end ofthe cover, a pair of closure means, such as zippers 51 and 52 areemployed that close the top and bottom portions of the cover by pullingthe zippers from the edges of the cover towards the center thereof sothat the end of the closure means terminates at points 53 and 54respectively. FIGURE 7 illustrates the aft end of the surfboard coverfully closed about a surfboard so that all the exterior surfaces of thesurfboard are adequately protected by the quilting or padded material ofthe cover.

It is to be understood that although conventional zippers are shown forachieving closure of the aft end of the surfboard cover, other suitableclosure means may be employed such as a plurality of grommets which maybe interlaced by means of a line or rope which upon a pulling or drawingthereof, effects closure of the cover. Also, it is to be understood thatalthough tabs made of canvas or other fabric are shown and described, itis to be understood that metal hooks, clamps or other types of fasteningmeans may be employed for securing or tying the covered surfboard to acarrying rack.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in theappended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protrudingfrom one surface thereof comprising:

an elongated sleeve of flexible material adapted to receive and enclosethe surfboard therein so that all surfaces of the surfboard includingthe fin are covered;

said sleeve having an opening at one end thereof extending between theopposite edges thereof and leading into its interior through which oneend of the surfboard is introduced into said sleeve;

closure means carried on said sleeve operable to selectively close saidsleeve opening to retain said sleeve about the surfboard;

said sleeve including a pocket portion lying substantially on thecentral longitudinal axis of said sleeve at a location in closeproximity to said sleeve opening and having a pair of cooperating flapsbeing adaptable to receive, protect and enclose the fin, said closuremeans operable to secure said pair of flaps; and

a plurality of tiedown means carried on opposite edge marginal regionsof said sleeve about the periphery thereof for securing the sleeveenclosed surfboard to a rack or carrier.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is formed ofpadded material as added protection of the surfboard against inadvertentdamage.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said sleeve includes anaperture formed therein at the end of said sleeve opposite to its endformed with said selectively closable opening to accommodate expulsionof entrapped air or water.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including I an accessory storagecompartment carried on said sleeve wherein a portion of said sleeveforms a portion of said storage compartment.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said sheath entrance isdefined by an upper flap and a said upper and lower flaps comprising theaft end of said sheath so that said sheath entrance extends across theextreme aft edge of said sheath and extends along the oposite side edgesof said sheath; and wherein one of said flaps includes a pre-formedpocket adapted to receive and enclose the structural fin. 6. Theinvention as defined in claim !5 wherein said sheath entrance extendingalong the opposite side edges of said sheath terminate at a locationbetween said extreme aft end of said sheath and a location mid-waybetween the opposite ends of said sheath.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure meansincludes a zipper adapted to be pulled from the end of one side of saidsheath entrance to its opposite end via the extreme aft end of saidsheath to releasably join said upper flap to said lower flap.

8. Protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protrudingfrom one surface thereof comprising:

an elongated sheath of flexible material having a pair of relativelywide and flat planar sides disposed in spaced relationship to each otherand joined about their edge marginal regions so as to enclose allsurfaces of the surfboard;

said sheath having an entrance at one end thereof leading into theinterior of said sheath through which one end of the surfboard isintroduced into said sheath between said pair of opposite sides, saidsheath entrance being defined by an upper flap and a lower flap andwherein said lower flap includes a pre-formed pocket adapted to receive,protect and enclose the structural fin;

closure means carried on said sheath and being operable to selectivelyclose said sleeve entrance to retain said sheath about the surfboard;and

a plurality of tie down means carried on opposite edge marginal regionsof said sheath for securing the sheath enclosed surfboard to a rack orcarrier.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said sheath entrance isdefined by the aft end of one of said planar sides of said pair and theaft end of the other planar side of said pair wherein said latter sideincludes a pair of flaps adapted to close together by said closure meansalong the central longitudinal axis of said sheath; and

wherein said pair of flaps are pre-formed so that when closed, a pocketis formed about the surfboard fin.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8 including a handle secured tothe edge marginal region of said shejath at a location mid-way betweenits opposite en: s.

11. Protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protrudingfrom one surface thereof comprising:

an elongated sheath of flexible material having a pair of relativelywide and flat planar sides disposed in spaced relationship to each otherand joined about their edge marginal regions so as to enclose allsurfaces of the surfboard;

said sheath having an entrance at one end thereof leading into theinterior of said sheath through which one end of the surfboard isintroduced into said sheath between said pair of opposite sides;

closure means carried on said sheath and being operable to selectivelyclose said sleeve entrance to retain said sheath about the surfboard;and

a plurality of tie down means carried on opposite edge marginal regionsof said sheath for securing the sheath enclosed surfboard to a rack orcarrier, each of said tie down means being formed with an elongatedaperture that serves as a handle for effecting the transportation of thecovered surfboard.

12. Protective means for a surfboard having a structural fin protrudingfrom one surface thereof comprising:

an elongated sheath of flexible material having a pair of relativelywide and flat planar sides disposed in spaced relationship to each otherand joined about their edge marginal regions so as to enclose allsurfaces of the surfboard;

said sheath having an entrance at one end thereof leading into theinterior of said sheath through which one end of the surfboard isintroduced into said sheath between said pair of opposite sides;

said sheath entrance is defined by a pair of pre-formed flaps integralwith the aft end of one of said planar si es;

said flaps adapted to be joined together by said closure means along thecentral longitudinal axis of said sheath to enclose and cover the fin ofthe surfboard;

closure means carried on said sheath and being operable to selectivelyclose said sleeve entrance to retain said sheath about the surfboard,said closure means including separate means for closing the extreme aftend of said sheath from one edge thereof to a point where said flapsjoin and for closing said sheath from its opposite edge to said point;and

a plurality of tie down means carried on opposite edge marginal regionsof said sheath for securing the sheath enclosed surfboard to a rack orcarrier.

13. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said sheath entrance isdefined by a pair of pre-formed flaps integral with the aft end of oneof said planar sides;

said flaps adapted to be joined together by said closure means along thecentral longitudinal axis of said sheath to enclose and cover the fin ofthe surfboard.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bate 150 -54 Lorinovich 150'52 XMickelberg 15052 X Strauss 224-421 Martell 15052 X Kolpin 15052 Kelly9310 Southwick 15042 X France.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

1. A PROTECTIVE MEANS FOR A SURFBOARD HAVING A STRUTURAL FIN PROTRUDINGFROM ONE SURFACE THEREOF COMPRISING: AN ELONGATGED SLEEVE OF FLEXIBLEMATERIAL ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND ENCLOSE THE SURFBOARD THEREIN SO THATALL SURFACES OF THE SURFBOARD INCLUDING THE FIN ARE COVERED; SAID SLEEVEHAVING AN OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF EXTENDING BETWEEN THE OPPOSITEEDGES THEREOF AND LEADING INTO ITS INTERIOR THROUGH WHICH ONE END OF THESURFBOARD IS INTRODUCED INTO SAID SLEEVE: CLOSURE MEANS CARRIED ON SAIDSLEEVE OPERABLE TO SELECTIVELY CLOSE AND SLEEVE OPENING TO RETAIN SAIDSLEEVE ABOUT THE SURFBOARD; SAID SLEEVE INCLUDING A POCKET PORTION LYINGSUBSTANTIALLY ON THE CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SLEEVE AT ALOCATION IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SAID SLEEVE OPENING AND HAVING A PAIR OFCOOPERATING FLAPS BEING ADAPTABLE TO RECEIVE, PROTECT AND ENCLOSE THEFIN, SAID CLOSURE MEANS OPERABLE TO SECURE SAID PAIR OF FLAPS; AND APLURALITY OF TIEDOWN MEANS CARRIED ON OPPOSITE EDGE MARGINAL REGIONS OFSAID SLEEVE ABOUT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF FOR SECURING THE SLEEVE ENCLOSEDSURFBOARD TO A RACK OF CARRIER.